DArT founder and Managing Director, Dr Andrzej Kilian, has been named the 2027 ACT Senior Australian of the Year, recognising his contribution to science and longstanding commitment to improving global food security.
Andrzej founded DArT in Canberra in 2001, driven by a belief that the benefits of advanced genetic technologies should not be limited to those with the resources to afford them.
His invention made it possible to analyse the DNA of virtually any organism at a fraction of the prevailing cost, opening new opportunities for agricultural research, plant breeding and biodiversity conservation.
But for Andrzej, the technology has always been a means to a greater end. At the heart of DArT is a simple conviction: every child deserves access to nutritious food, education and a secure future.
That philosophy has shaped DArT’s development as a social enterprise. From its early work with Australian grain growers to transferring technology and expertise to research partners in Africa, South America and Eastern Europe, DArT has sought to make scientific advances available where they can make a meaningful difference.
This award is a wonderful recognition of Andrzej’s scientific achievements and, perhaps more importantly, the values and determination that have guided his work for more than 25 years.
Congratulations, Andrzej, from all of us at DArT
